Carole Samaha celebrates in Syria

Despite the many cancelations of New Year’s concerts in various Arab capitals, there are news of large number of artists that went ahead with hosting live concerts for the occasion. It is hard to tell whether to say that these artists and the concerts planners are selfish and not concerned for what is going on in the Arab world especially the crises in Gaza, or whether these concerts reveal the division of opinion in the Arab streets.

Samaha opened her performance with a small speech saying that “the artist’s weapons are their voices and through their voices they can convey the wounds of many. Music is hope and happiness especially since that life goes on with all the miseries and misfortunes.” With these sincere words, Samaha opened the first nights of 2009 in Aleppo in front of 3000 fans.

The concert organizers decided to cancel the concert at first and return the money, but hundreds of fans refused to take their money back and insisted on attending a concert for their beloved artist Samaha. Many stayed in front of the hotel where Samaha was staying wanting to see her.

According to the London daily Elaph, Samaha performed for two full hours where her fans sang and cheered her on throughout her performance. She also sang for great Arab artists and took everyone back in history.